BOSTON Borough Council has backed the county council's plans to demolish the existing St Botolph's footbridge and replace it with a £600,000 bowstring footbridge.

At a planning meeting last week no objections were made after Lincolnshire County Council submitted a Conservation Area Consent to the council, who are the planning authority, to demolish the existing bridge.

English Heritage support the move and the Secretary of State will make the final decision but a positive response is expected that will permit the new footbridge to be built.

The bowstring design footbridge will be around 35 metres long with 15 metre ramps at a reduced gradient each end, making it easier for people using a wheelchair, or with pushchairs, to get across.

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The high arch is proposed to be the main feature of the design and will be made from tubular steel sections.

The deck width will be increased and there will be side handrails featuring special deck lighting to light people's way at night.

Richard Waters, Principal Engineer Structures for LCC, said: "The current footbridge has seen better days, having been there since the 1970s.

"It is beginning to deteriorate and will require increasing amounts of maintenance work.

"The new Bowstring footbridge will make a real difference to the surrounding area and be something that people can feel proud of."

In a public consultation the design beat competition from a lower arch bridge and a more traditional concept.

The estimated cost of the new bridge is £600k, with just over half the funding being provided by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Cllr Derek Richmond, Boston Borough Council's town centre portfolio holder, said: "The new footbridge will represent a massive improvement in this part of town, not only in terms of appearance but also in terms of accessibility for the disabled and being able to better accommodate the ever-increasing footfall that uses this crossing point."